Chance for youth to take part in Hellfire Pass tour

From the sites of prisoners-of-war camps to the bridge on the River Kwai, a handful of Geraldton youth are in for the trip of a lifetime.

The Anzac Day Hellfire Pass 2016 Students Tour is running again next year and, for the first time, Geraldton youth are invited.

Geraldton’s Returned and Services League, in association with Quiet Lion Tour 2016, is opening applications to those turning 15.

The 12-day tour will follow the story of Australian prisoners of war and Australian doctors, culminating in the Anzac Dawn Service in Hellfire Pass and a Memorial Service in the Cemetery of Kanchanaburi in Thailand.

Geraldton RSL tour organiser Christine Ross said the tour would be a chance for local youth to open their eyes to a bigger picture.

“These kids will get to see places where Australians fought and lost their lives to give us the freedom we have today,” she said.

“I think the enormity of that is lost on us until we see for ourselves what the devastation of war is really about.

“Personally I hope when they see these places, they’ll say to themselves ‘I don’t want this to ever be able to happen again and I want to do something to make sure it doesn’t’.

“These kids are our future presidents and policemen. Encouraging and nurturing their growth and learning is the best way we can go forward.”

The Quiet Lion Tour 2016 will depart Perth on April 15 and return on April 27.

Students are encouraged to apply for a position on the tour and will be selected by an interview panel.

Further to student participation, Geraldton RSL is also looking for local business and organisations to help sponsor the cause.

Mrs Ross said the experience would not only be invaluable for the youth, but also for the local RSL.

“We want to be able to give these kids an experience and to also get youth more involved with the RSL, ” she said.

“We would love for people to come and have a look at the club and museum and just support their veterans.

“Our kids are our future and giving them this opportunity is a great way to start a better one.”

For more details or to apply, send an email to [geraldtoncityrsl@bigpond.com] or phone 0437 325 279.